Sheldon Rankins

Sheldon Rankins's Biography

Sheldon Taylor Rankins, born April 2, 1994, has been building a sterling reputation in the world of American professional football. A defensive tackle extraordinaire, he is presently signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in the National Football League (NFL). Through this biography, we will explore the various milestones and challenges that have marked Rankins’ journey, extending across college, professional leagues, and personal battles.

A Georgia native, Rankins grew up in Covington and attended Eastside High School. This was where his affinity for football was ignited and nurtured. Following high school, Rankins pledged his football prowess to the University of Louisville where he played college football.

Rankins’ freshman and sophomore years at Louisville were somewhat understated as he served mostly as a backup. Nonetheless, he managed to record an impressive 22 tackles and four sacks during this time. It was during his junior year in 2014, however, that Rankins truly came into his own. Starting in all 13 games, he tallied 53 tackles, eight sacks, and even bagged two interceptions. In his senior year in 2015, his achievements included 58 tackles, six sacks, and notably, a fumble return touchdown.

Transitioning into the professional arena, Rankins was selected as the 12th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft on April 28, 2016. A few days later, on May 9, Rankins was signed by the Saints to a four-year, $12.8 million contract.

However, his initial NFL journey was far from smooth. In August 2016, Rankins broke his fibula during practice, requiring surgery and a six-week recovery period. Yet, he did not let this setback deter him. After briefly being placed on the injured reserve/designated for return list, Rankins was activated on November 5, right before week nine of the NFL season. His rookie year concluded with nine games under his belt, sporting 20 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble.

As the 2017 season rolled around, Rankins showcased a spectacular performance by starting in all 16 regular-season games. As a result, his team climbed from a 31st ranking to 10th in the league. He completed the season with 26 total tackles, one forced fumble, one interception, and one pass defensed.

In the Divisional round of playoffs against Philadelphia Eagles, he unfortunately suffered a torn Achilles and was placed on injured reserve. Despite these challenges, Rankins soldiered on in the subsequent seasons, even managing to record two sacks in one game against the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, a first in his NFL career.

After numerous impressive performances and harrowingly swift recoveries from injuries, on April 24, 2019, the Saints exercised the fifth-year option on Rankins’ contract. Throughout his time with the Saints, Rankins demonstrated undeniably consistent performance both on the turf and off.

In 2021, Rankins signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the New York Jets. Unfortunately, an elbow dislocation resulted in Rankins once again riding the bench for a few weeks. Yet, he always bounced back. By the end of his tenure with the Jets, Rankins had started 15 games, recording three sacks, 43 combined tackles, seven quarterback hits, and one forced fumble.

His journey continued with the Houston Texans in 2023, as he signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract, even nabbing his first NFL touchdown. As of 2024, Rankins is now defending as a tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals, marking another delightful chapter in his football career. In conclusion, Sheldon Rankins constantly perseveres, embodies resilience and fortitude, all while offering a remarkable contribution to the game of American professional football.